20 Times a Lady is former TV talk-show producer Karyn Bosnak’s second novel (though it is her first attempt at fiction). Her first publication was Saving Karyn, and this novel was based on her own life experience. Drowning in debt, Karyn took the unusual route of advertising her plight online, asking people who didn’t know her to help pay off her debt. Amazingly enough, it worked, and Saving Karyn was born. 20 Times a Lady, though not based on her own personal experiences, is a delightful fictitious tale that is surely well worth a read.

Delilah Darling is twenty-nine and fresh out of a job, thanks to company cut backs. Most people would immediately start to search for a new job. After all, there are such things as bills to be paid and commodities to be bought. Yet, Delilah has decided to do something else whilst she is in-between jobs, and it is all down to her magic number. 20. This is the figure that Delilah has always focused on, the maximum number of men Delilah thought she would sleep with before finding her Mr. Right. Yet, she has now reached her figure and doesn't even have a boyfriend, let alone a wonderful loving husband complete with family. Having read an article that specifies the average number of individuals people sleep with is 10.5, Delilah is determined not to have sex with any other men – but she is equally determined not to live a life of celibacy. To this end, she opts to take a path few would choose to go down. Put simply, one of her past lovers must be suitable – and what better way to find out than to track down each and every one of them? There were twenty, after all – if you include Kate from college, but that was only a curiosity thing so she doesn't count. Delilah is not a lesbian.

Delilah calculates how much she has to spend in tracking down all of her exes, and hires a part time actor/investigator – hunky neighbor Colin – to locate and find out about those she has long lost contact with. What follows is a madcap journey that would leave anyone wondering how in the world anyone could have had a relationship with so many unusual men. At the same time, Delilah comes to learn a few truths and lessons about life, which teach her to accept herself and her past, for it is life experience that shapes a person and to regret your past is to regret who you have become. Join Delilah and laugh at the situations she lands herself in as she comes into contact with her past loves, unsuitable as they are. One by one they get crossed off the list until not one remains. But can Delilah find her special someone, and had he been under her nose from the beginning of her hunt?

20 Times a Lady is a fabulous Chick Lit Romantic Comedy which will have you laughing out loud, wondering at the heroine's exploits and learning life lessons alongside the heroine. Written in great style, this tale will engage you, the reader, in the heroine's plight, as well as providing you with great entertainment that is sure to find a permanent fixture on your keeper shelf.

20 Times a Lady is sure to tickle your funny bone! Whether or not you have found yourself in a situation like Delilah's (I haven't – far from it – but I still like this feisty heroine), you are sure to love this hilarious tale and truly enjoy Delilah's exploits. The plot is solid, well written and fabulously paced. The characters are all brilliantly developed, with their own little quirks, talents and eww factors. Delilah's family is fabulous: close-knit, if a tad secretive, protective and focused on Daisy's (Delilah's sister's) wedding. Delilah does have sex in the story, but these scenes are glossed over and don't get described in any detail by Ms Bosnak. The book design itself complements the story on the inside pages, with an excellent and tailored design throughout. 20 Times A Lady is a thoroughly enjoyable, hilarious romantic comedy that ought to be on your TBB list, for sure!

Reviewed By Elizabeth
© September 2006